We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Matt Brewster. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Matt below.
Hi Matt, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
Confidence and self esteem are things I’m always working on, especially when there are so many younger and more talented bass players in the world. But my journey to achieving self confidence started with the fact that I’m handicapped. I’m missing 4 fingers on my right hand, and I’m missing my right leg from below my knee. Couple that with being an adopted Korean and raised in the 90’s in a predominantly white town, and you have a recipe for a whole lot of childhood bullying. It was hard growing up being so different from my peers; as I got older, I came to accept that this is the only body I’m ever going to have and that I should love it regardless of whether or not I thought anyone else would. As my bass playing skills transformed from a hobbyist level to a professional level, I began to really accept myself and started seeing that what I had previously considered my weaknesses– my handicaps– were actually my strengths and make me a distinct and adaptable player. With bass playing, style and tone are all in the fingers. Because I’m missing some of mine, I’ve had to work twice as hard to figure out how to master my instrument. I’ve had a lot of people tell me they can hear a bass line I’m playing and they automatically know it’s me. Some musicians spend a lifetime trying to find their own voice on their instrument, and I’m blessed to have found mine. Knowing that I can play at such a high level with the hands I was dealt gives me great confidence and it helps me believe that I can achieve anything that I want if i put in the work. I hope to inspire others to believe the same for themselves.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
First and foremost, I’m just a guy that’s looking to add a little bit of light into a world that seems to need all it can get.
Secondly, I’m a bass player! Sometimes known as Phunky Brewster, though the real OGS know me as Money Matty (dont ask). I’ve been called for countless studio sessions and have played for many bands during my time in the PNW. I’ve toured nationally, played to empty rooms and festivals with thousands of people. While perhaps not being known for exceptional technicality, I am known for exceptional feel, pocket, time, and groove that are woven together to create melodic and thoughtful bass lines. If my playing isn’t enough, consider that I do it with a handicap on both hands! My fretting hand has 2 fingers that have fused knuckles while my plucking hand is missing four fingers, leaving only my thumb! I like to think of myself as living proof that through love and dedication to your craft, anything is achievable.
My main bands include Hiroki (pop/soul/r&b), Laryssa Birdseye (pop/indie), Acoustic Minds (EDM/bass), Jacob Westfall (tender rock), Alana Rich (disco pop/dream pop), and RainEzra (r&b/soul/hiphop). I encourage you to check out all these great projects as well as supporting me on Instagram and TikTok @phunky.brewster where you can keep up on my day to day, as well as check out a lot of fun bass covers I’ve put my spin on!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
My first thing would be to believe in yourself! Know that your mind is extremely powerful. Understand that the only limitations you have are those that you believe you have.
Next, treat people well! This isn’t your world that everyone else is just a part of. We are all here for roughly 100 years or less, and people have been around for a while lot longer than that. How wild is it that we get to be here together at the same time? We’re all people experiencing hardships and beautiful moments… the golden rule, cliche as it may be, is really applicable. Support people, don’t say mean shit, be thoughtful, and have fun. If you’re trying to get anywhere in life, one of the most important things is to be a good hang. It doesn’t matter if you’re the best at what you do if you’re a total asshole. I’m not the best at what I do, but I’m good- more importantly, I’m a good hang, and I think that’s carried me further in life than having skills.
Third, hard work is the only guaranteed way to success. Sure, some people are born into better opportunity. But I believe if you want to have success in your life, you have to be the one to work to make it happen. No one else is just going to do it for you. Time is fleeting. It’s the one thing we never get more of. You’re never going to be any younger than you are right now, so don’t squander the time you’re given.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I’ve definitely got a full load of people I’m playing music with, but it’s always been my dream to play bass for a major artist. Bruno Mars, Dua Lipa, Anderson Paak, etc…. if anyone connected to any artist like that just so happens to stumble upon this interview, bang my line! Haha!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://solo.to/phunkybrewster
- Instagram: @phunky.brewster
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/WJC9jQmFyheUF1Ug/
- Youtube: https://YouTube.com/hirokitheband
- Other: Tiktok @phunky.brewster
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
